Weird Stuff

Walking off the path as I do, I regularly stumble across weird stuff in the forest or when out and about. Things that must have made sense to the folk which constructed them, though I can't fathom. Take this 'thing', a circle of cut branches all of a similar guage, firmly pushed into the ground, one round of para cord tied around them, with conifer trigs (I don't know if they where green when placed) forming a cover...nothing inside (on cursory inspection, I don't like to disturb too much in case it's something ritual). What's that about?  Most peculiar.

Rainbow Road

Rainbow Road? I looked and looked, not a Mario Cart in sight!

Red Rise

The rain fell mainly on the plain. Actually it didn't, it fell all over the forest and then bled from the landscape through a filigree of rivulets, whereupon it engorged the forest streams causing them to burst their band and flood the surrounding environs. It gets much better than this, this is just the beginning, when properly inundated the water extends quiet some distance. This was the whole point of restoring the forests streams to their pre-Victorian courses, to slow the waters transit, holding more water in the forest and creating bog woodland environments. Well, it's working. I've walked this roam for decades and rarely in the past did Red Rise Brook breach it's banks, it had to be extraordinarily wet for weeks and even then it was never as expansive as it regularly is today.

Camouflage

Well camouflaged, this dragonfly blended beautifully, if it wasn't for a slight shift, I'd have walked on by. A bit late for Dragonflies isn't it? I thought late autumn was their limit. Still, although it's wings were a touch tardy, it looked in good health.

Geoff at the beach

It was Geoff's first trip to the beach, I'd wanted to wait until Studland was dog friendly again and let him enjoy a proper beach. And enjoy it he did, loved it, in fact. It's been a while since I've walked here, though knowing the area quite well having spent countless hours investigating and recording Studlands World War 2 archaeology, I was struck by the changes.  It's a strange environment, timeless though fluid and constantly in flux. The combination of management and natural forces, I suppose.

Burley Boundary

You can still trace the boundary ditch and bank around Burley Old enclosure, greatly reduced in depth and stature respectively, though still a strong feature in the landscape. I like to walk boundary bank and let my mind wander, noting the admiralty marks on some of the trees I pass, remembering how these woods came to be and how the iron clads saved them for us to enjoy today. The forest still had to give up some of it's treasures for war though, quite a lot was taken a 100 years ago to shore the trenches and prop the tunnels. Though for the most part Burley Old has survived. It was nice out today, the forest is quiet, closed for winter, all, or at least most, of it's residents tucked safely away till spring. I feel like the night watchman, just keeping an eye on things. Burley Old remains my most frequently visited roam.

Crystal Jacqueline @ The King Arthur 24.11.2018

After Icarus Peel's Acid Reign, a short interlude and next up at the Arthur was Crystal Jacqueline.  The Crystal Jacqueline Band tonight was Crystal Jacqueline (vocals), John Wyatt (keyboards), Icarus Peel (guitar), Andy Budge (bass) and Brian Rushbrooke (drums). I was really looking forward to this, I've enjoyed Crystal Jacqueline's voice through my speakers, though to hear sing live was a real treat.  Jacqueline has such a beautiful voice, honeyed and haunting, ethereal yet strong, her sound was dreamlike throughout. Jacqueline's got great stage presence too, she didn't just capture your ears, she demanded you attention, and justifiably so, she's a fabulous performer. She was supported by an ensemble of pure class. On keyboards was John Wyatt, who looked thoroughly laid back throughout, though that didn't stop him delivering some nice keyboard work, lovely sounds. If you've read my last post, this next section is going to read somewhat familiar. Well, what was I to do, same musicians, same night, still playing magnificently, only difference...stylee. I've previously remarked on Peel's lovely guitar style, his natural symbiosis with his guitar and in this manifestation we saw new dimensions to it. Still exquisitely picking as he works the frets, conjuring those magical riffs, and crafting sweet flourishes, though now infused with beautiful psychedelic prog flavours. What an outstanding guitarist. Brian Rushbrooke continued to deliver formidable drumming, beautifully paced with great resonance and depth, more of that really nice clean drum sound. Lovely. Ubiquitous psyche bassist Andy brought his trademark, full toned, rich, deep and resonant bass to the progressive arena. Still cucumber cool, the master bass practitioner's neutronium fingers continued to pick out some sweet licks and riffs. What struck me about these three was how versatile they are, and how effortless their transition from power trio to prog trio. All the musicians played their parts to perfection, and the whole set was a feast of gloriously progtastic flavoured psychedelic tunes wonderfully performed by the best of musicians, and we the audience filled our boots. At one point the power failed and the room was enveloped in darkness, there was running about and fussing, but not from Jacqueline who simply continued singing, the sound soon returned and the performance went on. The audience loved every minute of it, and why wouldn't they, it was flippin ace! As I'm ever heard to remark, it was over all too soon, to rapturous applause. Really lovely stuff, man. A huge thanks to the band for such a wonderful performance, loved it. As always, big up the Arthur for putting on these evenings, to the friendly patrons who shuffle and cavort in gay a'bandon, and to my friend for driving...I heartily thank y'all. And check this out!

Icarus Peel's Acid Reign @ The King Arthur 24.11.2018

And here we are again, in the west country's Albert Hall, venue of quality and distinction...The King Arthur. Our musical landscape would be greatly diminished if it weren't for the efforts of the King Arthur to consistently put on wonderful evenings of top draw bands. Tonight was particularly exciting for me as we were seeing two bands I've never seen perform. Exciting stuff! First up was Icarus Peel's Acid Reign, a band who showed perfectly that you still can't beat the beauty and pure power of a trio of first class seasoned musicians playing blistering rock. I don't think it'll ever be surpassed.  Icarus and chums delivered blistering blues infused psychedelic rock with an element of late 60's sensibility, and they did it with gusto. Icarus Peel has a lovely guitar style, he makes it look a natural symbiosis, man and guitar, exquisitely picking as he works the frets, conjuring magical riffs, sweet flourishes and a well deployed whammy, made for some masterful guitar work. He's certainly in his element. What an outstanding guitarist, Icarus looked like he was having of fun too, a lot of smiles... always good see musicians enjoying themselves. Behind him, in the boiler room of the band, Brian Rushbrooke on drums, drums are a bands engine, and Brian made it look effortless (which of course it can't be, far from it), as he delivered some formidable drumming, beautifully paced with great resonance and depth, a really nice clean sound. Lovely. On Bass Andy Budge.  Ubiquitous psyche bassist Andy, was on top form this evening, full toned, rich, deep and resonant bass is the Budge trademark, and he doesn't fail to deliver. A cucumber cool master bass practitioner, with great presence, Andy's neutronium fingers picked out some wonderfully groovy blues licks and riffs. The Budge Rushbrooke combination ensured a rock solid rhythm section, together with Icarus' sweetly singing guitar all the ingredients were there for a musical feast. Man, what a feast of wonderful bluesy psychedelia it was, a real listening pleasure. We could've listened to a lot more of that, it was bliss. I love that the cut back nature of the production allows you to hear and enjoy the individual musicians contributions, there's a purity to a good three piece, and these fellows were way beyond good, each performed magnificently. Kings of blues infused psychedelia, the throne rightly belongs to them, long may Icarus Peel's Acid Reign. Big thanks y'all. And check this out.

Berry good

If you're of the school of thought or tradition that says, berries (sloe, hip, haw and so forth) should be, or are best, picked after the first proper frost, then now's your chance.  Frost still clings in the shadows this morning, puddles have opaque crusts and the shrubs are laden with useful fruits. Come fill your boots!

Jack's back

Jack's back, has his winter tenure begun? 

The Locker Room Cowboys

Here's a band you need to look out for. I first heard The Locker Room Cowboys on Fruits de Mer's excellent recent compilation 'The Three Seasons' an interpretation of mid sixties classic psyche (see post), The Locker Room Cowboys did a wonderfully original interpretation of the Stones 'We love you', the stand out track in my opinion. It has an eerily weird music box sounding introduction, leading to a deep and laid back rhythm, at times it sounds as if it's slowing down and stretching out, like it's been dipped in psychedelic treacle or is running out of juice, whatever, it makes for a nice trippy feel and sound to it, throughout everything’s just right, guitar, keyboards, vocals, everything, and the addition of some sumptuous female harmonies was inspired, just topping it of beautifully. Smashing track. I remember listening to it, then immediately lifting the tone arm and listening again, on checking out who they were, it transpired The Locker Room Cowboys were an ensemble of leading lights in contemporary psychedelia, Andy Budge, Gregory Curvey, Crystal Jacqueline, Icarus Peel and Victoria Reyes (I shan’t list all the bands they're all associated with, as they're legion). That track alone is reason enough to keep your eye on The Locker Room Cowboys, and got me wondering what else they might have up their musical sleeves. Well, over the last couple of days they've dropped some tantalizing demo’s and, man, they're excellent! I know they're only demo's, raw, unpolished and unfinished, but they suggest some really good things to come from the The Locker Room Cowboys. The Amen Revolution is a fat funky psychedelic dance number, with some fruity bass, you can only imagine how flippin brilliant the finished track is going to sound! Troublefunk #1 too is damn funky, but in an entirely different way, bloody lovely. Finally, there's Saturday Morning Fuzz, something quite different, more rock orientated though none the less ace. Fantastic stuff! Give them a listen, and I'm sure you'll join me in being excited and eagerly awaiting their album and live dates?

Cranborne Chase and Winkelbury

The wrinkled landscape of Cranborne Chase is never boring, so wide ranging and varied as it is. It's a country landscape, of fields and hedgerows, scrubby woodland and coppice sheltering in its combes, rising above them exposed chalk grasslands reach for the skies, little changed in centuries, I'd imagine. Today was a good day for a walk in the chase, clear skies, an unseasonally warm feel, walking with an old friend who I don't see enough off (in fact the last time I saw him was last year, when we wandered the Chase). Our route was an undulating one, up through Garston Wood, with it's well managed Hazel coppice, down through Mistleberry Wood, up into Chase Woods following the Shire Rack, past Cuttice Lodge and up on to the Ox Drove, with it's fantastic views over four counties and on a good day as far the Isle of Wight. Man, it's always amazing to be up here, but on a clear day like today, it's something else.  We took a slight detour to wander about Winklebury, an Iron Age Hillfort positioned on a promontory overlooking the Berwick St John at the head of the Ebble Valley. It was excavated by Pitt-Rivers at the end of the 19th century who found evidence of Iron Age occupation, though I question whether it was a finished hillfort, it's defensive ramparts and ditches lack uniformity in nature and appear incomplete. The most striking features are the two linear outer ramparts and ditch defences some way from the main enclosure, which cut off the promontory.  The Chase is jam packed with archaeological features, it's always been a popular landscape. We made our way back down through Chase Wood, this time following the ups and downs of Chase Avenue, a neglected veteran Beech avenue, back through Mistleberry Wood with another Iron Age 'fort' which appears either incomplete or simply not a fort (I do wonder about some of the old Ministry of Works definitions of archaeological sites, several in the area appear suspect), before finally returning to Garston. Fantastic walk, longest I've done in a while too (12 miles of walking and talking), I've been slacking of late, must try harder. 

Burley Old

Messing around with photos again. This time one of Burly Old today, an old enclosure which feels full of mystery whichever season you enter it, and lends itself to arty imaginings. 

Mark Ash fall

The colour's quickly fading from the trees as more and more leaves turn and fall. Soon the fall will be complete and natures quiet winter slumber will begin. It's still stunning out here, mind, every season in the forest has something to share and offers opportunities to experience and learn.

Trojan Records

Today's charity shop find, three Trojan Record albums, Greatest Hits Vols.1 & 2 and Reggae Chart Busters Vol. 3. What a smashing find, although they're all quite dirty, they all play well, even before cleaning, and each album is packed with cracking tracks. Very happy, man.

Thoughtful destruction

As I walked past a group of World War 2 bomb craters in Anderwood enclosure this morning, I thought about the men flying the bomber. I wondered if they gone out of their way to drop their load well away from habitation out here in the woods. It would have been far safer for them to lose their bombs as soon as possible. So they must have purposely waited to be beyond conurbation. Which is cool. And, why hadn't they dropped their load on target, were they purposely trying not to kill people. You read stories of soldiers who've gone through a war without killing anyone. Or....was there a target out here in the woods? I don't think so, not that there wasn't plenty of military activity in the forest during the war, but I think these represent a bomber dropping their load before turning for home rather than an attack. There are a few groups of craters in the forest (beyond those of the Ashley Ranges), and they're invariably in groups of two or four, and none appear to fit an attack.  I sometimes think I really do over think too much.

Stan Lee

We knew it was coming, he was 95, but still to hear of his passing, the passing of a comic world leviathan, was very sad. Stan Lee has gone. Stan along with Steve Ditko built the foundations the modern comic universe, their creations coming to define what a comics and comic characters could be. They made their characters superhuman, though so very human, full of emotional conflict and doubt, they made them just like us. I can't remember a time when comics weren't part of my life, it started with the funnies, though took a massive shift in direction when I found 2 bin liners full of American comics in the early 70's. I was only young, after all it was the early 70's, so I mainly followed the stories through the pictures, although that was enough to light a fire in my imagination which has never gone out. I love comics, all comics, I love everything about them, the writing, the art, but most of all I love the escapism and solace they offer. As I say, I love all comics, though Marvel has always been special, they've created a real comic universe, so many characters all existing and interacting with each other in the same space (for the most part), a universe more layered than an onion...and it's still expanding, evolving. I've loved all the characters Stan's created, and all the characters they spawned, some more than others, but all. Stan created my favourite comic characters of all time (in whatever incarnation)...The X-Men. I can't thank him enough for the joy his creations have given me, and continue to give me, or the respite and escape from the oppressions of modernity they've afforded me. Thank you Stan Lee. Excelsior!

Rainbow

When the low autumn sun broke through the heavy grey blanket that raced across the sky, there was a lovely light out in the forest today. It was a day that didn't know what camp to stand with, light rains fell as the sun shone, what my Mum used to call 'a fox's riddle and a monkey's dance'. I have no idea what it meant or where it came from (she was brought up in India), though I taught it to my kids too. Beautiful day of myriad rainbows.

The Cary Grace Band @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 10.11.2018

So, we're back up in Glastonbury at the towns premier music venue The King Arthur, we'd just seen Yamma's amazing set, next up was The Cary Grace Band. I love a superlative, me, and may have a tendency towards verbosity, though I reckon after tonight they're going to have to create some new superlatives, as none existing could really do the Cary Grace Band's performances justice, and I'm near dumbstruck by it. We've seen the fabulous Cary Grace Band several times now, and every time has been a wonderfully unique experience, there's always a new dimension to the bands interpretations. Unique, is the bands stock-in-trade, and tonight was to be no different. There's a magical alchemy to the Cary Grace Band, of course Cary's a fantastic writer/performer and the core members are par excellence, though it's the fluidity of a line up regularly augmented by guest artists which ensures every performances uniqueness. Tonight’s line up were Cary Grace (Synths, everything electric and vocals), Andy Budge (Bass), Mike Howlett (Bass), Graham Clark (Violin/Guitar), Steve Everitt (Synth/Guitar) and Rob Everitt (Drums). Blimey, a who's who of musical pre-eminence, I'm sure you'd agree. Tonight’s set was to give us a nice mix of the past, current and future Cary Grace Band; favourites like War Child, single Without a trace and a first live play of a new track off the forthcoming album (something definitely to look forward to), to name a few, all in all we were spoilt with a nicely curated evening. Of course it goes without saying (though I'll say it anyway), every track was delivered beautifully, these are consummate musicians, one and all. Cary created the wonderfully textured swirling synth and voice soundscapes she's renowned for, through which the other psychedelic minstrels wound their merry way. Cary's mesmerizing voice is powerful and has a wide range, and she used it to full effect this evening, whether singing or as a constituent of the soundscape, it's always superb. Behind the soundscapes was the bands driving heart, the solid rhythm section of Rob and Andy. Rob Everitt may be younger than the others in the band, though that in no way impeded him, he easily held his own, a talented drummer with a great style. Rob also recently did a sterling job on Cary's contribution to recent Fruit de Mer release 'Three Seasons' a spectacular interpretation of Hendrix's '1983 a Merman I shall be'. A drummer to watch for sure, kudos, man. Rob's partner in rhythm is of course CGB core member Andy Budge, who delivered his trademark sumptuous bass lines with the style and panache we've come to expect. One of the best bassists out there, and one who's rightly always in demand, I've lost count of the bands he basses for. The pair worked well, spot on in fact. Initially, legendary bass player Mike Howlett wasn't on stage, more on that later. Now, Steve Everitt was an interesting addition, I thought Steve brought a whole new dimension to the bands sound, his guitar playing is so sharp with a certain clean rock edge to it, a fantastic guitar sound.  Steve was fabulous, unleashing some blistering guitar riffs which were bliss to the ears. Graham Clark's violin playing is always out of this world, and always grabs your attention, though tonight he had it turned up to 11 at times, man, can he make a violin sing, he's so understated too. A highlight was Mike Howlett joining Andy Budge on bass duties. Howlett is a bass legend making it look so natural that bass lines just flow from him, and Budge has built himself a similar reputation, cucumber cool and adamantium fingered. Together they delivered a storming bass riff, both have great presence and, man, they was just something else to see and hear...really! It was an evening of unique psychedelic aural adventures in music, brought to us by an extraordinary ensemble of visionary frequency explorers. I loved it, the entire audience love it, it was all over too soon though, the audience wanted more and band were willing, though venue legislation was not. Boo! Man, evenings like this are truly priceless, rarer than, and worth more than their weight in, gold pressed latinum, especially in these turbulent times. After the performance I availed myself of one of the quality posters on sale at the merch table and proceeded to bother the artists for their signatures (thanks to Andy B for the use of his Sharpie). On my rounds I remarked to Mike Howlett what a fantastic performance it was, and he replied he agreed and couldn't understand why Cary's wasn't better known, word, man...and Mike Howlett knows his musical onions!
 
A massive thanks to all the musicians for an outstanding performance, to Lux Looper for the lovely visuals, and of course to the Arthur, for continuing to put on such splendid evenings. Bravo! And I for one can't wait for the The Cary Grace Band's new album, check out her site in the meantime, there's plenty of musical gems there.

Yamma @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 10.11.2018

We were again off to Glastonbury's hostelry/venue of high repute, The King Arthur, and this evenings aural delights...Yamma, and The Cary Grace Band. First up was Yamma, a new project between psychedelic songstress and analogue synth supremo Cary Grace and original Zorch member and pioneering synth wizard Basil Brooks. We've been looking forward to this since first hearing a Yamma set on Mixcloud, tonight as a bonus, they were to be joined by special guests legendary bass player Mike Howlett and equally legendary violinist and guitarist Graham Clark. Man, what's not to love about that? Sadly though, Basil was unable to participate in the evening, though his station was more than capably manned by another musical big hitter Steve Everitt (of Ozric/Eat Static, among other things). The band took to the stage with Cary attired in a 60's/70's sci-fi style outfit, think something along the line of classic pulp science fiction or Anderson's 'UFO' imagined in an anime stylee, an indication of this evenings musical direction, maybe? Indeed it was, as tonight’s performance was going to be out of this world. Yamma really showcases Cary's electronic skills, creating her beautifully deep and richly textured electronic sound-scapes, woven through with wonderful psychedelic threads. It's mesmerizing to watch Cary crafting those wonderfully spacey sounds, all those knobs, keys and twiddly things, no wonder she's so focused as she carefully tunes us into the frequencies of her world. This was a different Yamma to that which we'd heard, this was less ambient. The addition of Steve Everitt on synth had definitely added something, as had Howlett's bass, and Clark's guitar, they all contributed new elements to the mix. Each musician brought their distinctive musical DNA as they supplied interesting treads to the evolving musical tapestry, transformative layers, it was sonic alchemy in action. The ensemble crafted some very tasty ambient psychedelic space flavours, and our minds happily absorbed. That's the beautiful alchemy of accomplished musicians. Sadly, the set wasn't long enough, though it was long enough to give you a good indication of Yamma's potential. I know I wasn't alone in being blown away by the set, the entire audience loved it. I look forward to the next opportunity to be blown away. An aspect that I particularly love to some of these bands, is the fluidity of line up, the guest artists and the unique experiences that creates. I know next time we see Yamma it'll be different again, and that's Cary's genius (beyond the fact of her immense talent as an artist), she knows how to craft a unique musical evening and does so, so sublimely. Tonight really worked, man, the line up, the music, the colourful projections and Cary's sci-fi image, all gelled nicely in an ambient psychedelic space bonanza. What a fantastic performance. I couldn't tell you the name of any of the tracks, I don't know if we were told, and anyway, I was lost in my exquisite aural journey, transfixed as four premier artists plied their magic. A massive thanks to Cary, Mike, Graham and Steve, to Lux Looper for the lovely visuals and of course to the Arthur, for another stunning evening.Now for the Cary Grace Band.